If you're anything like me, the time is whipping by waaaay too fast. And not just because it means I'm getting older, though that's obviously true. It just feels like I need more year to get done the things I need to for 2015. Ever feel that way? The reality of course, is that either we're on plan/schedule/budget, or something didn't work right. Something that we control, or could have controlled.

Like I mentioned last month: rationalize 'till you're blue if it makes you feel better... you're either on-target or you're behind. Anything else is sophistry.

Time to get real about a couple of things:

Plans (strategic, of course, but don't forget functional plans as well), and

Leadership needs (now's the time, not after you realize you have a need and scream "holy crap!").

Triangle Performance LLC's 2015 Survey of Senior Leadership (our eighth annual) is available, and with almost 15% more respondents than last year, a rousing success, and as usual, quite enlightening!

I'm not talking about hand-to-hand, gun-to-gun, charge the hill type of courage. No, bravery in battle is not the same thing as courageous leadership. And make no mistake about it-leaders need courage to be successful.

Nobody wants to follow a coward. It's that simple. And yes, cowardice is the opposite of courage, no matter how much that word hurts.

Courage is a trait possessed by all great leaders. So much so, that without courage, leadership is a farce at best.

Please understand that I'm not just talking about the kind of courage we see on television or in the movies (think John Wayne), nor am I advocating for the bravado or arrogance many associate with "leadership", instead, I'm speaking to the courage necessary to stay the course and to do the right things.

"It was the software's fault, not mine." -Mart Winterkorn, V-dub's ex-CEO after getting busted playing fast and loose with emissions monitoring doodads.

"No, really; the Columbia route was a strategic decision for us." United's ex-CEO (thankfully) Smisek after being investigated for swapping a vacation route for the NJ/NY Port Authority wonk's vaca digs in exchange for reduced lease fees at Newark. Glad to see you leave, Jeff.